The most important place in a Phi Delta Psi Chapter was the Fireplace Room. In the center was the Ritual Candle, always lighted when a Brother was in the house, except when people were sleeping. The colors of the candles indicated special activities in process. Both Alpha and Beta Chapters had candle sticks from the original Topanga Canyon Stable House. Behind the candle was the Fraternity's Crest. To the sides of the candle were the names of Chapter Founders and Chapter Presidents. At the immediate left was a plaque with the names of those in the United States Armed Forces. At the right of the fireplace were Pledge Paddles. Each class created a symbolic paddle with the class' motto and members' names. One such paddle remains and is in the Archives of The Museum of the San Fernando Valley. The paddle represented the fact that Phi Delta Psi Fraternity did not paddle its pledges.

These are three of four black and white, 8 by 10 photographs found in the box in Bob Robar's attic. There are no dates, or indications of the photographer.

Initiation Dinner of New Brothers Fall 1957 (click on image to enlarge) nitiation Dinner of New Brothers Fall 1957 (click on image to enlarge) Work Party at the First Fraternity House - Pledge Class of Fall 1957

Wednesday, September 3, 2008

This last Tuesday Founders Grady Talbot and Doug West invited Br. Bob Robar and me to join them for lunch at the Odessy Restaurant in Granada Hills. (I hadn't been there in at least 20 years and it was not an iota different.) As with every Phi Delt reunion dinner or lunch, the question of "what made Phi Delta Psi so different?" came up. It's always the same... loyalty. And, loyalty in the face of discomfort, inconvenience or even danger. :Is this the kind of guy who will come and rescue me in the middle of the night, without making excuses."On the way home, I stopped at Bob Robar's to pick up a box of mixed stuff. Original minutes of Gamma and Beta Chapters. Minutes from the original Topanga Canyon stable and a bunch of pictures. I'll already stated posting them for your enjoyment. There was one letter among the things - A letter from A3C Ives, Theron B. AF1975950581 - Mail Room 4, Box 4698Chanute AFB IllinoisDear Brother Jerry,Please find enclosed $2.00 deposit for the Maple Leaf Ball. Do not know where I'll be stationed in October but hope to make it to the Ball near or in California. Will graduate from school here in April, will then get my orders to my new base.Hope to see all of my Brothers then. Brother TerryPlease credit $2 to my name.Home address:Terry B. Ives Beta Chapter8386 Ponce Avenue, Canoga Park, California

Minutes of Alpha Chapter Dec. 3, 1961New Businesse. Hugh Terrell became activeg. Mr. and Mrs Herles voted as honorary members j. Jerry McAlevey's dog will be allowed to stay at the house with him, while he is in residence.m. The lock on the back door will be fixed.

Tuesday, September 2, 2008

My favorite Beta Chapter Group Photograph - (click on image to enlarge) Brother LeRoy Hunt will identify all of these guys for us.

Presentation of the Torch-Bearer Pledge Paddle - Brother Louie Syre will identify these guys for us. (click on image to enlarge)

These photographs come from a box in Bob Robar's attic - more on the way. The images are stored in the Archives of The Museum of the San Fernando Valley, and in the electronic files of Br. LeRoy Hunt in Santa Barbara. We are, after all in Earthquake country.

Bob Robar and Bill Westmyer were on the way to Palm Springs, a long haul in the late 1950s. Bill got sleepy and asked Bob to drive. Bob agreed and went to sleep at the wheel. The car took off over the sand dunes and scarred the heck out of Bob who quickly turned to get back on the highway. "God, what happened?" gasped Bill. "Wow, there was this huge coyote...." replied Brother Robar. "Good thing you didn't hit the s.o.b." said Westmyer, "My dad would have been really pissed off!"(edotpr's note: I wonder if Br. Fire Captain Robar ever told Bill the truth about the coyote? Humm?

Part of the Fall Pledge Class of 1957 (click on image to enlarge)Photo in the archives of The Museum of the San Fernando Valley.

Just after getting out of the U.S. Marine Corps, Founders Grady Talbot and Don Taggart rented rooms (or were given them) by a doctor who wanted to help out guys returning from the Korean War. The house was in Encino and had a local name of Sun Rise Turn (the way leaves turn toward the rising sun.)Taggart and Talbot became friends and the rest is Phi Delta Psi history..Talbot and Taggart rushed guys that fit their concept of self-starting, ambitious fellows that might have made good Marines.Here (left to right) are: Pledges Bob Robar, Richard Radcliff, Eddie Brickman, Alan Goldman, John Valvo, Mike Padden and on his haunches Don Barnhart.Robar, Radcliff, Valvo, Padden and Barnhart all became presidents of the Fraternity, as well as two others not shown. Bob Robar was a leader in the formation of Beta Chapter, Dick Radcliff founded Delta Chapter, The others were presidents of the mother Fraternity or later Alpha Chapter. There were 13 pledges in this class -- naturally!